Successful street fair
means successful service to kids

Far more than "just" the hottest street party in Miami, Calle Ocho makes it possible for Little Havana Kiwanians to accomplish service for children that runs deep. Consider some of the Kiwanians' ongoing endeavors:

Basketball league
Through annual sports projects, the Little Havana Kiwanians mentor inner-city children. The Basketball League was the club’s first project, dating back to 1976. Over the years, the Kiwanians have seen more than 4,000 leaguers. On an annual basis, about 200 kids come from Overtown and East Little Havana to play basketball with Kiwanian coaches and mentors. The most promising players attend collegiate basketball camp at the University of Florida or Florida State.

Summer sports camps

In 1991, the camp started within the City of Miami at Shenandoah Park for boys and girls, ages 7 to 13. For eight weeks, more than 100 children receive free baseball instruction, all-day supervision, baseball uniforms, lunch and are taken on field trips. More than 1,000 kids have participated during the past 10 years.

On September 2000, the first soccer camp started at a field in Miami. More than 100 children have learned the sport because of Kiwanis. Most recently, a tennis clinic was added by United States Tennis Association Florida, and was considered a tremendous success.

Back-to-school project

Since September of 1992, Little Havana Kiwanians have distributed book bags full of school supplies to children in free-lunch area public schools. Each year, the distribution reaches thousands of elementary school children throughout Miami-Dade County. To date, more than 55,000 have been distributed.

Future Leaders Through Education scholarship program

Recognizing the importance of a higher education, the Little Havana club funds a four-year scholarship program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Currently, 55 students attend public universities or colleges in Florida through this program. This scholarship project began in 1988 and is part of Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation and has benefited about 200 students from its inception to now. Corporate donations make this program possible.

A toy for every child

Since 1977, each holiday season, club members have distributed more than 60,000 educational toys and 30,000 new bicycles to children in hospitals, shelters, day care centers, and migrant worker camps throughout Miami-Dade County. In addition, the club revived the tradition of Los Reyes Magos  (the “Three Kings”), distributing toys to ill and low-income children. The club “adopts” underprivileged families and provides them with traditional holiday meals and gifts for the children.

After-school tutoring program

The program started at an elementary school in 1999 to help students with homework. In its first two years, the tutoring saw more than 100 students, with overwhelming results. The club expanded the program to other schools.

Family literacy program

Also started at an elementary school, this program teaches parents to read and write in English so they, in turn, can help their kids do homework. The program has assisted more than 300 low-income Hispanic families and is supported generously by corporate partners.The program has increased, and the school has risen from an “F” school to a “C” school.

SAT tutoring program

This is a new program to help third-graders practice for the SAT tests.The coordination of special tutors in designated schools will assist students to be better prepared to take their SAT tests.

Other contributions

Playground constructions in the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County include Douglas Park in 1988 and reconstructed in 2002, AD Barnes Park in 1990, Curtis Park in Allapatah in 1993, and Jose Marti Park in 1995, in memory of Carlos Erdmann, a highly regarded Kiwanian.

Donations to youth charitable organizations such as Kiwanis Horses for the Handicapped, Catholic Home for Children, La Liga Contra el Cancer, Children’s Cancer Clinic, Centro Mater, San Juan Day Care Center, Centro Hispano Catolico, Vecinos en Accion, American Heart Association, Abilities of South Florida, Camillus House, Community Partnership for the Homeless, Abriendo Puertas, and many more.